Library

Document describing three methods for elevating a home out of the flood zone.

Report describing approaches to using less wood in home building that minimize waste.

Fact sheet describing advanced framing techniques that reduce the amount of lumber used in constructing wood-framed houses while providing more space for wall insulation.

Fact sheet describing advanced wall framing.

Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Fact sheet providing background and technical information on Trombe wall design

An online learning management resource for the construction community.

Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Study investigating measured cooling energy performance in side-by-side identical homes with varying roof types, including cool roof technologies.

Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

Report using relative humidity and temperature data from NOAA to measure average equilibrium moisture content for each month of the year in 262 locations in the United States and 122 locations outside the United States.

Article containing background knowledge on expansion tanks.

Article explaining common myths about expansion tanks and proper facts.

Report comparing a high-performance house with a code-built control home.

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.

Report describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more hurricane resistant.

Article describing dozens of ideas on how to retrofit a home so it is more earthquake ready.

Study investigating measured cooling energy savings in homes across the U.S. from the installation of roofing with higher solar reflectance.

Information sheet with nail withdrawl capacities in OSB.

Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.

Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Guide on retrofitting insulation in cavities.

Report seeking to teach building contractors and building inspectors the correct methods for doing typical seismic retrofits that have been designed by an engineer or architect or described in a prescriptive standard.

Brochure describing insulation approaches for homes with slab-on-grade floors.

Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.

Paper that illustrates a performance check between the thermal performance of a Massive Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) wall system mocked up and Whole Building Performance criteria such as total space heating and cooling loads (thermal comfort).

Building science report describing issues with vented attics in hot-humid climates and how sealed attic construction may be a solution.

Report describing the formation of icicles and ice dams along poorly ventilated roofs and how to mitigate ventilation issues with insulation and vents.

Report describing the use of attic ventilation to control moisture in cathedral roofs and avoid the formation of ice dams.

Report describing a field study of 31 homes to test envelope and duct leakage and fan flowrates, and to determine ventilation operation characteristics.

Article explaining the importance of expansion tank knowledge.

Fact sheet describing the moisture properties of wood.

Report detailing passive design strategies used at the Zion National Park Visitor Center, including evaporative cool towers.